Year in Review {2011}

With the new year rapidly approaching, I thought it would be a good time to go back through the blog and reflect on some of my favorite moments of this past year :)

In January we rung in 2011 with a ladies trip to Vancouver, I took my first trip of the year to Wenatchee to visit my little bro, made some yummy food, and introduced you to the best grilled cheese and tomato soup in Seattle.

February brought a near win at Dip-A-Palooza, a long lasting love affair with a puffy, a fun (and slightly dangerous) girls only Valentine's Day, and one of the best tasting pizzas I've ever had.

In March I went to one of my favorite restaurants and took a quick trip home, but the biggest adventure of all was our trip to Iceland - complete with crazy food, picturesque photo shoots, and chilly horseback riding.

In April I celebrated 4 years at my job, attempted to make one of my most favorite desserts, cheered on the M's at Opening Day, and said 'goodbye for now' to a dear friend :(

After getting over the worst bout of food poisoning of my life, I spent the rest of May going to yummy brunches, cheering on the Sounders, and beginning a long and crazy season of Drinks on the Links.

In June I said goodbye to one of my partners in crime, celebrated the wedding of two amazing friends, and found myself disguised as a plaid fool, a Flashdancer, and Batgirl. 

July brought a whirlwind trip to Chicago, one of my favorite holidays, a nasty sunburn, a much needed ladies night, and several birthday celebrations.

In August I celebrated the wedding of an old friend, tried something new, spent a long lazy weekend floating around Lake Chelan, and visited Kimbie in her new stomping grounds.

In September I tried a great new (to me) food truck, went crabbing with the family, and spent a long weekend in Colorado with family and old friends.

October brought another trip to Wenatchee, several trips to the pumpkin patch, and many new recipes.

In November I met up with an old friend, tried several new sandwiches, celebrated an exciting engagement, and successfully made my very first turkey.

And finally, December brought a pretty tree, lots of mother/daughter bonding, a bachelorette weekend, and a fabulous Christmas.

Here's to many more adventures to come!  See you in 2012 :)


xoxo,
stephanie marie

Christmas with the Knutzens {Part 2}

tree and stockings at mom and dad's house

 

Here are a few more pics from Christmas at home this past weekend.  After Christmas Eve at Nana's house, we spent Christmas morning at my parents, then spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa's before heading home for dinner.  It was such a great Christmas with the family - can't wait until next year!

 

cinnamon rolls for breakfast...

...and grapefruit broiled with brown sugar

breakfast casserole

great grandma taylor with all of her presents

mom and dad

me and dad

table setting for christmas dinner

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Christmas with the Knutzens {Part 1}

I always get sad Christmas evening, realizing that my favorite time of year is almost over.  In an effort to bring back some of the joy and happiness of this fabulous holiday, here are a few pics from my time spent at home this past weekend.

christmas eve pic in front of the tree

sleepy brother opening presents

gift card from my brother, disguised in a box of rocks

dad opening his router table

shaun and me with our gift to mom

simba and shadow under the tree

old letters to santa

Hope you had a lovely holiday!!  More pics to come 


xoxo,
stephanie marie

Merry Merry Merry

Wishing you and yours the merriest Christmas, and hoping there is as much joy and happiness as when you were this age...

Playing with your favorite toys...

Getting lost in all of the wrapping paper....

And eventually passing out in said paper :)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Pictures from Christmas 1985 

Happy {late} birthday Kami

Happy late birthday to the girl who kept me laughing and sane throughout my college summers, keeps me up to date on hometown gossip, takes the most gorgeous photographs, and introduced me to fancy handbags :)  Kami - I hope you had a fabulous birthday celebrating the fabulous lady that you are!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

pic from the Welty wedding 2008

Holiday Cocktails {hot buttered rum}

Last week, to really get into the holiday spirit, Stefanie and I attended a Holiday Cocktail Class at Cuoco, a Tom Douglas restaurant (that we previously visited here).  For $15, we learned how to make 3 classic christmas cocktails (and got to test all of them) and enjoyed appetizers and gingerbread cookies from Dahlia Bakery.  My favorite of the night was the hot buttered rum, which we got to take home with us when the class was over (minus the rum).  Here's the recipe - enjoy!


Hot Buttered Rum
1 lb brown sugar
1/2 lb unsalted butter
orange zest
lemon zest
2 tblsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tblsp nutmeg


Melt down mixture and stir
Add 1 heaping tablespoon per 8oz hot water
Add 1 1/2 oz rum, 1/2 oz amaretto
Top with whip cream
Refrigerate remaining mixture for a rainy day

hot buttered rum

gingerbread cookies from dahlia bakery

our place settings

hot toddy

eggnog

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chicken Parmigiana

Friday night, after a week of battling a nasty cold, all I wanted to do was stay in, make some easy comfort food, and go to bed early.  After realizing I had pretty much all of the fixin's for Chicken Parmigiana from my favorite cookbook, I knew I had to give it a try.  Erika came over to keep me company, and after about half an hour, we were enjoying yummy plates of chicken parmigiana and simple arugula salad, big glasses of red wine, and a Say Yes to the Dress marathon.  It was exactly the perfect evening that I had envisioned, and the chicken kept me full and happy all weekend long.

breadcrumbs & parmesan, eggs, and chicken

breaded chicken

topping the cooked chicken with mozzarella slices

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Nutcracker

My most favorite Christmas tradition is going to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Nutcracker."  I remember going as a little girl and being mesmerized by the graceful and gorgeous dancers, the elaborate sets, and, of course, the Peacock.  Saturday night, after a delicious dinner at Crow, David and I headed over to McCaw Hall dressed in our finest to continue the tradition.  The performance was just as beautiful as in years past, and I went to bed dreaming of twirling and leaping (and of Sugar Plum Fairies :)

me and my date, with herr drosselmeyer

xoxo,
stephanie marie


top picture from PNB

Christmas Cookies

Saturday night, mom and I stayed in, got into our Christmas jammies, and made my two favorite Christmas cookies, Chocolate Crinkles and Almond Bark Cookies.  As far back as I can remember, these two have been staples on our Christmas table and they were always the ones I'd head straight for when I needed something sweet. The Chocolate Crinkles come from the one and only Betty Crocker Cooky Book, and were so easy to put together.  The trick?  Don't cook them too long, and they will have a perfect, almost brownie-like quality.  The Almond Bark cookies come from my Great Grandma Eloise and have always been my favorite.  I mean, how can you go wrong with breakfast cereal, marshmallows, and melted peanut butter?  Since I've had so many requests recently for the recipe, here it is.  Make them this weekend - you will not be disappointed :)


Great Grandma's Almond Bark Cookies
Ingredients
1 package vanilla almond bark
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups Captain Crunch cereal
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 can cocktail peanuts
2 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows


Instructions
1.  Melt almond bark in double boiler over low heat (do not burn).  Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly.
2.  Mix dry ingredients together in large mixing bowl.
3.  Pour almond bark mixture over dry ingredients and mix well.
4.  Spoon onto wax paper and refrigerate until hardened.

chocolate crinkles

perfectly baked

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Grace Kitchen {brunch}

Sunday morning, mom and I stopped by Grace Kitchen in University Village to get some strength for the long day of shopping ahead.  The decor was French and cozy and the food was exactly what we needed.  For really reasonable prices, we got huge helpings of delicious food and yummy coffee, and afterwards we were ready to take on the shops.  I will definitely be heading back to Grace Kitchen to see what else they have on the menu in the near future.

stumptown coffee

farmers breakfast

goat cheese, roasted tomato, and spinach scramble

xoxo,
stephanie marie